Keeping Ourselves Unspotted from the World (Lesson 23)
Introduction:
1. According to James 1:27, "keeping ourselves unspotted from the world" is an important part of "pure and undefiled religion before God." 2. The Bible addresses many issues that will help us to remain unspotted from the world. 3. This lesson is based on the warning that Jesus gave in Luke 21:8a -- "Take heed that ye be not deceived." 4. In the New Testament, Christians are warned many times against being deceived. a. We are warned against being deceived by other people (1 John 3:7a). b. We are also warned against deceiving ourselves (1 Corinthians 3:18a). 5. To keep ourselves unspotted from the world we must heed the Bible's warnings and instructions that relate to deception. Discussion: I. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10) WE MUST NOT BE DECEIVED ABOUT WHO IS GOING TO HEAVEN
A. Many people have the idea that God is going to allow just about everyone to go to heaven. 1. This idea might be popular, but it is not true, and we must not be deceived into thinking that it is true. 2. Jesus is the judge (John 5:22); let us listen to what He has to say (Matthew 7:13-14). 3. The Bible lists a number of people who will not go to heaven. a. (1 Corinthians 6:9a) The "unrighteous" will not inherit God's kingdom. b. A similar list is given in Galatians 5:19-21. c. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9) Those who do not know God and who do not obey the Gospel will be punished at the judgment. d. (2 Peter 2:20-22) Those who fall away from the Lord will not go to heaven. B. The good news is that cleansing from sin is available (1 Corinthians 6:11). C. We learn from Acts 18:8 how the people in Corinth were cleansed. D. To go to heaven, a person must: 1. obey the Gospel of Christ 2. remain faithful to the Lord (Revelation 2:10). E. We must not be deceived into believing something else. II. (1 Corinthians 15:33) WE MUST NOT BE DECEIVED ABOUT THE INFLUENCE OF EVIL COMMUNICATIONS [COMPANIONSHIPS]
A. The evil communications under consideration are identified in vs.12. B. The influence of such teaching would be devastating (vs.19, 32). C. (vs.58) Looking forward to the resurrection should motivate us to serve the Lord faithfully. D. We need to learn a lesson from the Israelites. 1. They were told not to make covenants with pagans (Deuteronomy 7:1-6). 2. Unfortunately, they disobeyed and wandered away from God. E. We must examine the teaching we hear and the things we read (Acts 17:11). 1. We must receive that which is true. 2. However, that which is false must be rejected because of its potential influence. III. (Galatians 6:7) WE MUST NOT BE DECEIVED ABOUT THE LAW OF SOWING AND REAPING
A. The law of sowing and reaping is an undisputed law of nature. B. (vs.8) A spiritual application is made from this law. 1. The "sowing" refers to what we do in this life. 2. The "reaping" is the reward we will receive at the judgment. C. Since this is the case, let us do as we are told in vs.9-10. Conclusion: Let us heed these warnings and instructions -- they will help us to remain unspotted from the world so we can practice pure and undefiled religion before God.
